U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Emmitt Niemi, 27th Expeditionary Fighter Generation Squadron dedicated crew chief, marshals a F-22 Raptor from the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron during dynamic force employment operations at Basa Air Base, Philippines, Aug. 8, 2024. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Edward Coddington
Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org
F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., landed in Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines last week, in a widespread display of fifth-generation airpower across crucial regions in the Indo-Pacific.
The F-22s, designated the 27th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, recently wrapped up Pitch Black, an air combat exercise, in Australia. From there, they deployed throughout the region as part of an exercise dubbed Iron Blade.
Four fighters went to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Air Force Base, Indonesia, on Aug. 6. U.S. Airmen and members of the Indonesian Air Force trained together and conducted hot-pit refueling. The Indonesian Air Force wrote on social media that this is the first time F-22s have landed in Indonesia.
On the same day, four fighters landed at Rimba Air Force Base, Brunei, to kick off three days of briefings, static displays, and tours. This was also the first time F-22s have landed in Brunei, a small nation on the South China Sea—this March, USAF F-35s became the first fifth-generation fighters to land there.
Finally, on Aug. 8, six F-22s landed at Basa Air Base in the Philippines. Two participated in formation flights with Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighters, according to the PAF. Basa, newly renovated to accommodate more aircraft, has hosted American fighters over the past few years as part of Cope Thunder exercises between the two nations.
In each visit, the F-22s were supported by C-130 cargo aircraft carrying parts and personnel.
Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines each occupy key strategic territory along the South China Sea, and the U.S. Air Force has sought to bolster ties with all three through deployments and exercises in recent years—part of a concerted effort to build partnerships and counter the growing influence of China in the region. The F-22 remains one of the most potent symbols of American airpower, and Raptors are currently stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan, as part of a rotation of fighters through the base.
Audio of this article is brought to you by the Air & Space Forces Association, honoring and supporting our Airmen, Guardians, and their families. Find out more at afa.org
A new Air Force organization is searching for counter-drone firms to participate in a dozen or more exercises to help create operating plans by the end of this year for defending the service’s U.S.-based installations from drone attacks.
Bell Textron is now building a new vertical takeoff and landing X-plane, the X-76, that can achieve jet-like speeds, aimed at special operations missions and cutting ties to traditional runway-based aircraft.
When you check the weather, the forecast projects the chance of rain based on barometric pressure, wind, humidity, and other factors. Now the Air Force Safety Center is offering a way to forecast accident risks, a dashboard intended to help mitigate against factors that historically indicate higher risks for mishaps.
In a rare letter to the entire force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach is telling Airmen to stay ready to support Operation Epic Fury, the massive U.S. operation against Iran.
As many as 11 U.S. Air Force bombers—plus additional support aircraft—have arrived at bases in Europe as Pentagon leaders promise to ramp up bombing runs over Iran as part of Operation Epic Fury.
Operations Midnight Hammer and Absolute Resolve demonstrated the remarkable flexibility and overwhelming force possible when nations command control of the skies. It’s an object lesson to all who, having watched the carnage over more than four years of Russia’s war on Ukraine, some of whom have come to the erroneous belief that air superiority is no longer necessary…
The Pentagon’s counter-drone task force announced it would conduct a high-energy laser test with the Federal Aviation Administration less than a month after the use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border prompted the FAA to shut down the airspace over El Paso, Texas.
The Air Force wants more companies able to produce its new, multi-use, anti-radar missile that one expert says will prove vital in any future peer conflict and would be in high demand for the war in Iran if stocks were available now.
Hermeus, a venture capital-backed company looking to develop a reusable hypersonic aircraft, announced March 3 it flew its Quarterhorse Mk 2.1 demonstration vehicle—its second successful flight in the last year. The firm has also garnered interest from the Air Force and the rest of the Pentagon as the military looks…
✓
Thank You!
Check your inbox to verify your email address and finish setting up your AFA account.
★
Welcome Back!
An account with this email already exists. Please log in to continue.
Subscribe to the Air & Space Forces Daily Report
The latest news from Air & Space Forces Magazine, as well as news from other leading publications, delivered right to your inbox every morning!
We’re sorry, there has been an error. Please review your input or try again later.
